27th March 2009
According to a new report from Bloomberg, the news and industry information specialist, the US ‘crackdown’ on European online gambling companies is against WTO rules.
The European Union supposedly began its investigation back in March 2008, after a number of complaints were made by European online gambling companies. The commission discovered that regulations put in place by the US, allowed US firms to operate more freely and obstructed European companies.
The regulations by the US are illegal under World Trade Organisation rules and give the EU good grounds to mount a challenge.
Such companies as PartyGaming and Sportingbet have been affected and were two of the businesses to complain to the EU.
Despite having a ‘good case’, the EU are hoping to use this leverage to reach a negotiated solution, rather than moving forward with litigation.
Clive Hawkswood, the chief executive of the Remote Gambling Association, said, “If the US can give the EU some assurances it will no longer take action, then we’d be very happy.”
EU Trade Commissioner, Catherine Ashton later said, “It is for the U.S. to decide how best to regulate Internet gambling in its market, but this must be done in a way that fully respects WTO obligations.”
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Saturday, March 28, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
European Commission Finds U.S. in Violation of Trade Agreements, by Dan Cypra - Poker News Daily - 27th March 2009
Last March, the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) learned that its complaint filed with the European Commission would be acted on. The complaint stems from the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) in 2006, which the RGA charges unfairly discriminates against foreign operators. On Thursday, the European Commission released its preliminary report.
The Commission agreed with the RGA (and many other industry organizations) that the United States is in violation because "the treatment of foreign Internet gambling operators by the U.S. under existing domestic law constitutes a barrier to market access for European companies and is inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules," according to a press release on Friday from the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative (SSIGI).
The complaint charges that the United States approves of domestic internet gambling, specifically wagering on horse racing, but shuts out international operators. One such domestic site, TwinSpires.com, has been called into question in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where Governor Steve Beshear and Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown are engaged in legal action to force the forfeiture of 141 internet gambling domain names. On the national level, the SSIGI has watched as Party Gaming Co-Founder Anurag Dikshit admitted to violating the UIGEA and Wire Act of 1961 in a New York court room. Dikshit agreed to hand over a $300 million fine in three installments and risks up to two years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for December of 2010.
SSIGI spokesperson Jeff Sandman commented, "“The European Commission investigation further highlights the need for the Obama Administration and Congress to regulate Internet gambling not only to protect consumers, but in order to restore integrity to the international trade system. The Obama Administration should seek to forge a new direction on Internet gambling, rather than keeping in place a protectionist trade policy that hypocritically discriminates against foreign online gambling operators.” A recent study released by PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that up to $52 billion could be raised over a 10 year period by taxing and regulating internet gambling in the United States.
E.U. Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton gave her take on the next steps: “It is for the U.S. to decide how best to regulate Internet gambling in its market, but this must be done in a way that fully respects WTO obligations. I am hopeful that we can find a swift, negotiated solution to this issue." Last September, E.U. trade officials arrived in the U.S. on a two week fact finding mission, culminating in Friday's report. The RGA's initial complaint was originally lodged in December of 2007.
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) was slated to introduce internet gambling legislation in March in the United States. However, with just four days remaining in the month, no bill has been introduced. Frank, who is the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has been preoccupied with one of the worst economic climates in the history of the United States. His previous bill to regulate and tax the industry was HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act. The bill, which was introduced in 2007, did not see time on the House floor during the 110th Congress and therefore must be reintroduced for consideration.
The RGA's members include a veritable “who's who” of European internet gambling operators including Betfair, CryptoLogic, Ladbrokes, Microgaming, Playtech, Paddy Power, Party Gaming, and William Hill. The London-based organization is headed by Clive Hawkswood. The SSIGI is based in Washington, D.C.
The European Commission could elect to work out an agreement with the United States directly or seek the intervention of the WTO. The SSIGI even cited U.K. Parliament member David Blunkett, who claimed, "I fully support the call by the E.U. Trade Commissioner, Cathy Ashton, for urgent U.S. action to regularize the trade relationship, respect WTO rules, and to regulate online gambling. This would provide not only fair competition, but protection for individuals and families, and a legal basis on which substantial revenue could be raised at a time of considerable pressure on public finances." The official European Commission report is expected to be released next month.
Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest from the European Commission. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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The Commission agreed with the RGA (and many other industry organizations) that the United States is in violation because "the treatment of foreign Internet gambling operators by the U.S. under existing domestic law constitutes a barrier to market access for European companies and is inconsistent with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules," according to a press release on Friday from the Safe and Secure Internet Gambling Initiative (SSIGI).
The complaint charges that the United States approves of domestic internet gambling, specifically wagering on horse racing, but shuts out international operators. One such domestic site, TwinSpires.com, has been called into question in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, where Governor Steve Beshear and Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Secretary J. Michael Brown are engaged in legal action to force the forfeiture of 141 internet gambling domain names. On the national level, the SSIGI has watched as Party Gaming Co-Founder Anurag Dikshit admitted to violating the UIGEA and Wire Act of 1961 in a New York court room. Dikshit agreed to hand over a $300 million fine in three installments and risks up to two years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for December of 2010.
SSIGI spokesperson Jeff Sandman commented, "“The European Commission investigation further highlights the need for the Obama Administration and Congress to regulate Internet gambling not only to protect consumers, but in order to restore integrity to the international trade system. The Obama Administration should seek to forge a new direction on Internet gambling, rather than keeping in place a protectionist trade policy that hypocritically discriminates against foreign online gambling operators.” A recent study released by PricewaterhouseCoopers revealed that up to $52 billion could be raised over a 10 year period by taxing and regulating internet gambling in the United States.
E.U. Trade Commissioner Catherine Ashton gave her take on the next steps: “It is for the U.S. to decide how best to regulate Internet gambling in its market, but this must be done in a way that fully respects WTO obligations. I am hopeful that we can find a swift, negotiated solution to this issue." Last September, E.U. trade officials arrived in the U.S. on a two week fact finding mission, culminating in Friday's report. The RGA's initial complaint was originally lodged in December of 2007.
Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA) was slated to introduce internet gambling legislation in March in the United States. However, with just four days remaining in the month, no bill has been introduced. Frank, who is the Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has been preoccupied with one of the worst economic climates in the history of the United States. His previous bill to regulate and tax the industry was HR 2046, the Internet Gambling Regulation and Enforcement Act. The bill, which was introduced in 2007, did not see time on the House floor during the 110th Congress and therefore must be reintroduced for consideration.
The RGA's members include a veritable “who's who” of European internet gambling operators including Betfair, CryptoLogic, Ladbrokes, Microgaming, Playtech, Paddy Power, Party Gaming, and William Hill. The London-based organization is headed by Clive Hawkswood. The SSIGI is based in Washington, D.C.
The European Commission could elect to work out an agreement with the United States directly or seek the intervention of the WTO. The SSIGI even cited U.K. Parliament member David Blunkett, who claimed, "I fully support the call by the E.U. Trade Commissioner, Cathy Ashton, for urgent U.S. action to regularize the trade relationship, respect WTO rules, and to regulate online gambling. This would provide not only fair competition, but protection for individuals and families, and a legal basis on which substantial revenue could be raised at a time of considerable pressure on public finances." The official European Commission report is expected to be released next month.
Stay tuned to Poker News Daily for the latest from the European Commission. (Credit: Poker News Daily)
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Sunday, March 22, 2009
Online Bingo TV
Online bingo websites spent over £7million on TV advertising in 2008 according to Nielsen Media Research.
With more than 230 different online bingo sites in the UK, the competition for players’ hearts and minds has become more intense and this trend is borne out by more than £7m spent during 2008.
Leading the spending in 2008 was Foxy Bingo with more than £2.25m spent on TV advertising. The second largest spend was on the new launch of Tombola during 2008, with a spend of £1.75m. Only these two sites spent more than £1m on TV advertising.
Two other sites spent more than £500k; Think Bingo spent more than £750k and Party Bingo spent in excess of £640k. In the £400k+ bracket were Crown Bingo (£427k) and Jackpot Joy (£414k), while the Daily Mail’s 2008 launch of Coffee Break Bingo was backed by a £330k TV campaign. One other bingo site (Littlewoods Bingo) spent more than £100k on TV advertising, spending £193k.
The full list of TV advertisers is completed by seven more online bingo sites which between them spent a further £300,000.
The exact spends according to Nielsen Media Research are as follows;
Foxy Bingo - £2,255,128
Tombola - £1,746,989
Think Bingo - £786,311
Party Bingo - £641,053
Crown Bingo - £427,275
Jackpot Joy - £414,217
Mail Online - £336,786
Littlewoods - £193,925
Bingos - £98,947
Bingo Scotland - £63,370
Love Bingo - £52,070
32 Red Bingo - £39,663
Bingo Palace - £37,435
ScotBingo - £8,390
Mikes Bingo - £4,725
Total £7,106,284
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With more than 230 different online bingo sites in the UK, the competition for players’ hearts and minds has become more intense and this trend is borne out by more than £7m spent during 2008.
Leading the spending in 2008 was Foxy Bingo with more than £2.25m spent on TV advertising. The second largest spend was on the new launch of Tombola during 2008, with a spend of £1.75m. Only these two sites spent more than £1m on TV advertising.
Two other sites spent more than £500k; Think Bingo spent more than £750k and Party Bingo spent in excess of £640k. In the £400k+ bracket were Crown Bingo (£427k) and Jackpot Joy (£414k), while the Daily Mail’s 2008 launch of Coffee Break Bingo was backed by a £330k TV campaign. One other bingo site (Littlewoods Bingo) spent more than £100k on TV advertising, spending £193k.
The full list of TV advertisers is completed by seven more online bingo sites which between them spent a further £300,000.
The exact spends according to Nielsen Media Research are as follows;
Foxy Bingo - £2,255,128
Tombola - £1,746,989
Think Bingo - £786,311
Party Bingo - £641,053
Crown Bingo - £427,275
Jackpot Joy - £414,217
Mail Online - £336,786
Littlewoods - £193,925
Bingos - £98,947
Bingo Scotland - £63,370
Love Bingo - £52,070
32 Red Bingo - £39,663
Bingo Palace - £37,435
ScotBingo - £8,390
Mikes Bingo - £4,725
Total £7,106,284
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Friday, March 20, 2009
Angelina Jolie and Online Casinos Dissed by UK Ad Authority
The ad for the movie "Wanted", featuring Jolie, has joined several online casino advertisements in being pulled from distribution by the Advertising Standards Authority.
The British agency responsible for administering standards for advertising has added actress Angelina Jolie to their humorless list of targets. The ad for the movie "Wanted", featuring Jolie, has joined several online casino advertisements in being pulled from distribution by the Advertising Standards Authority.
The ASA previously made news for ordering a Ladbrokes online gambling commercial barred after a single complaint was registered in a nation of over sixty million. The ad humorously compared gambling to swimming with sharks as a safe way to find excitement.
The ad with Jolie showed her shooting guns while exposing her bare back, which the commission said "could be seen to condone violence by glorifying or glamorizing the use of guns."
The ad also shows Jolie curving the path of bullets with her mind, and shooting into a car while upside down in a car flipping over the first. The commercial clearly displays a humorous and fantastic setting, but the ASA seems to take all scenes literally.
The agency has also banned a Requestabet.com ad which made joking comparison between gambling and investing in the stock market. At the time, one critic declared the ASA correct, saying tongue-in-cheek that the market was no laughing matter and investors were probably angry they hadn't wagered their money instead.
Media analyst Howard Bunker says, "The ASA should probably review the spots for 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith.' After all, they show a husband and wife gleefully trying to kill each other, which may promote domestic violence. And what about Beowulf? Naked Jolie morphing into a monster? Talk about misogynous."
No word was available on whether Parliament had instructed the ASA to get a life.
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The British agency responsible for administering standards for advertising has added actress Angelina Jolie to their humorless list of targets. The ad for the movie "Wanted", featuring Jolie, has joined several online casino advertisements in being pulled from distribution by the Advertising Standards Authority.
The ASA previously made news for ordering a Ladbrokes online gambling commercial barred after a single complaint was registered in a nation of over sixty million. The ad humorously compared gambling to swimming with sharks as a safe way to find excitement.
The ad with Jolie showed her shooting guns while exposing her bare back, which the commission said "could be seen to condone violence by glorifying or glamorizing the use of guns."
The ad also shows Jolie curving the path of bullets with her mind, and shooting into a car while upside down in a car flipping over the first. The commercial clearly displays a humorous and fantastic setting, but the ASA seems to take all scenes literally.
The agency has also banned a Requestabet.com ad which made joking comparison between gambling and investing in the stock market. At the time, one critic declared the ASA correct, saying tongue-in-cheek that the market was no laughing matter and investors were probably angry they hadn't wagered their money instead.
Media analyst Howard Bunker says, "The ASA should probably review the spots for 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith.' After all, they show a husband and wife gleefully trying to kill each other, which may promote domestic violence. And what about Beowulf? Naked Jolie morphing into a monster? Talk about misogynous."
No word was available on whether Parliament had instructed the ASA to get a life.
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Thursday, March 19, 2009
Playtech Acquire betting Software
19th March 2009
Playtech are one of the UK's leading online gaming software providers and have recently acquired a new sports betting software from Player2Players. Famous for their awarding winning internet gaming solutions , Playtech recently merged with William Hill to create William Hill Online.
However both companies will still operate separately. The new sports betting software acquisition will be integrated into their exiting product portfolio. The companies released their financial results for 2008 showing how well they had performed throughout the year.
Total revenue for 2008 was €111.5m, a massive 70% increase on 2007. The brand success has been down to improved results in casino and poker sectors. Playtech's very own Italian network was also launched last week which is expected to perform well in 2009.
Daily earnings in 2009 are already up on average by 8% when compared to the 4th quarter of 2008. William Hill online has also been performing well, with the site now operating a total of 8 different sites.
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Playtech are one of the UK's leading online gaming software providers and have recently acquired a new sports betting software from Player2Players. Famous for their awarding winning internet gaming solutions , Playtech recently merged with William Hill to create William Hill Online.
However both companies will still operate separately. The new sports betting software acquisition will be integrated into their exiting product portfolio. The companies released their financial results for 2008 showing how well they had performed throughout the year.
Total revenue for 2008 was €111.5m, a massive 70% increase on 2007. The brand success has been down to improved results in casino and poker sectors. Playtech's very own Italian network was also launched last week which is expected to perform well in 2009.
Daily earnings in 2009 are already up on average by 8% when compared to the 4th quarter of 2008. William Hill online has also been performing well, with the site now operating a total of 8 different sites.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
St. Patrick's Pot Of Gold
Pot of Gold, 16th to 18th March 2009
The casino leprechaun is holding a pot of gold worth $25000 in cash prizes, points and bonuses. He'll be popping up every now and again to give away his gifts so watch out! You could pick up anything from cash prizes to PartyPoints if you spot him.
Simply play at Partycasino.com any time between 16th and 18th March and wait for the leprechaun to make an appearance. You don't have to opt in: just play as normal.
May the luck of the Irish be with you!
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The casino leprechaun is holding a pot of gold worth $25000 in cash prizes, points and bonuses. He'll be popping up every now and again to give away his gifts so watch out! You could pick up anything from cash prizes to PartyPoints if you spot him.
Simply play at Partycasino.com any time between 16th and 18th March and wait for the leprechaun to make an appearance. You don't have to opt in: just play as normal.
May the luck of the Irish be with you!
Media Man Australia Profiles
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